liz herrmann

Liz earned a Bachelor of Arts in education from the College of Mount Saint Joseph. A love for texture, color and the creative process sparked curiosity for decorative painting. Initially self taught, she quickly learned that many things could be transformed with paint and glaze. To further nurture her interest in "faux finishing" Liz began attending professional workshops taught by industry leaders around the country. What started out as a hobby, developed into a thriving business. Her work can be seen in homes and businesses throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Her unique style, which is recognized within the industry, features textures adorned with various objects including (but not limited to) papers, jewels, mica, beads, and glitter. Liz has participated in many home shows including Cincinnati and Dayton Homeramas, Cincinnati's Citirama as well as Northern Kentucky's Homefest and Cavalcade of Homes. She works with several Interior Designers in the area providing custom, creative finishes in clients' homes and businesses. Examples of her work can be found here.

KAREN kratz-miller

Karen Kratz-Miller is the founder and artist/owner of BROAD SPECTRUM, operating in the Cincinnati, OH area since 1993. She has been involved with creative arts ever since her artist mother handed her the crayons and pointed her towards the wall. She has attended the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design, as well as numerous workshops on faux finishing, graphic design, tromp l’oeil and color theory. Product line training includes classes with Faux Effects, Proceed/Golden, Modern Masters and others.

Prior to Karen’s involvement with faux finishing, she was a nationally award winning and published fiber artist. Her love of textiles as well, as her graphic and fine arts studies at RISD are influences in Karen’s faux finish and mural designs. Additionally, Karen’s understanding of color theory and knowledge of product characteristics and interactivity, contributes extensively to her ability to create unique decorative finishes and to improvise with confidence.

Karen actively works in the field, allowing her to bring design saleability, product usage and “real life” execution information to the classroom. Her talent has been acknowledged in the form of numerous awards for Cincinnati's and Dayton’s Homearamas, Northern Kentucky’s Homefest and Cincinnati and Dayton Designer Show houses. She is a member of IDAL and the Ohio Valley/Northern Kentucky Decorative Artisans Guild.

gina bush

A Cincinnati native and graduate of Miami University, Gina has been teaching art since 2001. She has taught just about every age possible, and is currently teaching kindergarten through fourth grade art at Sycamore schools. She loves sharing her passion for art with others, especially children, and encouraging their creativity.

In addition to teaching art, she loves to create her own artwork, working in a wide variety of media. She also moonlights as "The Cake Girl". She made her first wedding cake in year 2000, and has baked hundreds of cakes for multiple occasions since. Decorating cakes is a delicious form of creativity, you know!